CALUM McIlwaine and Iarlaith Donaghy were earlier this week announced as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Players of the Year following an online vote facilitated by the Irish News.

Calum, a student in St Killian’s College Garron Tower, was the recipient of the season’s first Hurler of the Month award back in October following three impressive displays in the Danske Bank MacNamee Cup.

The diminutive midfield dynamo had played centre half forward in winning the 2018 MacNamee title and he then captained the squad that narrowly lost the final last Halloween to neighbours Cross and Passion Ballycastle.

The Oisin’s club player displayed excellent leadership qualities allied with a huge work rate that saw him cover every blade of grass, sweeping balls in the backline, fielding poc outs, winning breaking ball and having the engine to drive forward to pick off key scores as well. Calum scored 1-8 in the three games during October and almost single-handedly kept St Killian’s in with a chance of winning the final against Cross and Passion who were a stronger overall team.

By contrast footballer of the year Iarlaith Donaghy picked up his monthly award for February, the last award given before the shutdown, after being a key member of the St Pius X Magherafelt team that reached their first Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup final in 11 years.

Like Callum, Iarlaith captained his team and he turned in Player of the Match performances from centre-half back in both the quarter-final against St Columb’s Derry and then the semi-final against Loreto College Milford a fortnight later.

In both games he organised his defence brilliantly and drove forward to set up scores for the attack, even taking a point against St Columb’s.

This is the Lissan club player’s fourth season in MacLarnon Cup panels for St Pius X and he takes a leadership role even at training sessions when he regularly takes the warm-ups allowing the mentors time to set up their drills.

Players are initially nominated by the coach of opposing teams for a monthly award and this year’s five monthly award winners then went against each other in an online poll run over the past couple of weeks by the Irish News.

All ten Monthly Award winners had shown tremendous leadership qualities to gain their awards with Callum and Iarlaith then topping the voting for their codes.

Ulster Schools’ Chairman Jimmy Smith congratulated the two players on their awards:

“Heartiest congratulations to all our young players who made it to the final vote, and especially to Callum and Iarlaith on collecting these prestigious awards as our Hurling and Football Players of the Year. 

“All of these young players produced outstanding displays during the year to win our monthly awards and this will hopefully be some recompense to Callum who missed out on a second medal in the MacNamee final!

“As regards Iarlaith and his school St Pius X Magherafelt, we in Ulster Schools’ Council are still hopeful that he will get the opportunity to add a MacLarnon medal to his collection.

“Ulster Schools’ Council and the individual schools that promote our games greatly appreciate the part the Irish News sports’ team as well as John Brolly play in promoting those games and we would like to place on record our appreciation to Danielle Baker, from our partners, Danske Bank, who has worked tirelessly in the advancement of our competitions and highlighting the accomplishments of our young players.”

Oonagh Murtagh, Head of South Business Centre at Danske Bank, said:

“I’m delighted to announce the 2020 Players of the Year, Callum McIlwaine and Iarlaith Donaghy – an achievement that should be cherished as they grow and develop in their sporting fields.

“The Player of the Month, and overall Player of the Year, initiative is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible skill across the province and across all age groups of players. The high standard of all nominees this year has blown me away – any one of the nominees would have been a worthy overall winner.

“It’s great to be able to recognise the effort and skill of all of these players, as well as the dedication shown by their coaches, families, clubs and teammates. Congratulations to you all.”

By Donal Cunningham

I have really enjoyed reading through all the various ‘Best 15’ selections from Antrim’s football fraternity and was looking forward to reading the hurling selections, but the reality and difficulty of this task really hit home when I received an unexpected text from John ‘Curly’ McIlwaine asking me for my own selection.

Firstly there are probably a lot more knowledgeable and qualified personnel than me to make a selection , my active memory of club games begins in the mid 70’s, so never witnessed the giants who went before then, legends  like John Butler and Brendan ‘The Bear’ Donnelly (both RIP), Robbie Elliott, and Sparrow Harkin, I am just about old enough to remember the last couple of seasons of the late Paddy McShane, a man who personified all the great qualities of the Gael,  but too young to accurately include Paddy or any of the above named greats in my selection.

Being involved for the last couple of seasons as part of the Senior team management, I will deliberately not include any of the current playing squad, there are definitely a few contemporaries, who would merit inclusion but will choose to restrict my selection to former players. In other words my selection is really for former players from about 1977 to 2015.

The principle of subjectivity has been well established by previous contributors, and no doubt this selection will incur as much disapproval as it does approval, but that’s the purpose (a bit of craic), so in that spirit I am happy to offer the following.

1. – Paul Smyth

 One of the automatic selections for this side, Paul was our goalkeeper for the best part of two decades. A brilliant shot stopper an intelligent reader of the game, and not afraid to marshal his defenders. At a time when his Antrim and Ulster peers were the likes of Jim Corr, Niall Patterson and Noel Keith, ‘Smythie’ was up there with the best.

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2 – Eoin Colgan

 One of the coolest and most stylish of defenders and could rob possession from his opponent just like a pick-pocket.

3 – Cormac Donnelly

In a recent online interview Dunloy and Antrim’s former goalkeeper Shane Elliott described Cormac as one of the best fullbacks in Ireland, and lamented a career ended prematurely by injury.  I share Shane’s sentiments.

4 – Gerard ‘Fish’ McAuley

Every defence needs a warrior, ‘Fish’ was that warrior, ‘hard as nails’ and an incredible ball winner, the tougher the opposition – the more ‘Fish’ relished the challenge.

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5 – Liam Gallagher/Paul Jennings

 I am torn between  these two, both fantastic servants for club and county, Liam on his day was untouchable, fellow defenders often remarked that when Liam was on form they had little to do, such was his dominance. Likewise, Paul never shirked a tackle and had the ability to pick the perfect pass after winning possession. A potential contender for a place in midfield also.

6 – Terence ‘Hippy’ Donnelly

 Without doubt the best centre half I have witnessed in Antrim club hurling. While modern day hurlers pay a small fortune in gym memberships and on strength and conditioning, Hippy just had it naturally.

7 – Kieran ‘Pinky’ Kelly/Ronan Donnelly

 Again I am unable to separate  two wing half’s, and again both served Club and County well in a variety of positions,. Kieran had a majestically hard strike which he used to great effect. Ronan was a class act and a rock in defence, his positional awareness was second to none, strong and a great catcher. Both Kieran and Ronan deserved greater success for the club

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8 – Stephen Boyle

An automatic choice, ‘Dingus’ was a really reliable and stylish competitor. Always one of the fittest in the squad and had a very distinctive tucked in solo run, never let the side down.  

9 – Terence Barton

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Barton was a serious hurler and well ahead of his time. He covered ever blade of grass on the pitch and could strike the ball as sweetly as anyone in full flight a line ball specialist and arguably our   man of the match in the All Ireland Club final of 1980.

10 – Paul McKillen

 Paul was undoubtedly one of Ireland’s greatest ever midfielders (and probably would want to wear the famous No 9 shirt), but  despite his All Star award in that position ,when you have the luxury of the above midfield, you would reap greater rewards with Humpy in the three quarter line. There is little to be said about Paul which hasn’t already been. A long range point specialist, skills Paul finely honed with hours of practice in the fields behind Knocklayde View.

11 – Brian Donnelly

 Another automatic choice, one of the best, Brian had a phenomenal work rate, his strong direct running style and his consistent willingness to receive the sliothar made him a constant threat. Brian knew how and when to take a score and would have ran through a brick wall if that was required. 

12 – Peter (Porky) Boyle

 Probably the most graceful and aesthetically pleasing hurlers to grace Antrim hurling, Porky was different class, if Brazilians ever played hurling this is what they would look like. A prolific scorer and a creative playmaker.

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13 – Charlie McVeigh

 Charlie was sometimes the unsung hero, powerful and strong and played in a variety of positions/ Charlie never let the side down and was at his most dangerous in the full forward line which was evidenced by his hat-trick of goals in the 1980 County final.

14 – Eddie Donnelly

 Another legend. Eddie led the line brilliantly and always encouraged others. Eddie’s strength and skill were matched by his game-intelligence. An incredible catcher, when Eddie’s raised the hand, it was rare that he didn’t come away with the sliothar and a resultant score.  His record of having played in 14 Antrim Senior finals and winning eight medals speaks volumes

15 – Dessie Donnelly

 Another automatic choice, and in reality you could give Dessie any jersey, as Dessie lined out in numerous County finals and in a variety of positions. A 1989 All Star at left full back, Dessie was an artist, and his artistry with a stick has not been seen in Antrim since. Dessie was a deadly accurate free taker.   On a morning walk last week, I met Dessie painting the gates of Pairc Mac Uilin, a dedicated club man.

Subs:  All of who on their day probably merit selection includes Kevin Boyle, Kevin Donnelly, Seamus Donnelly, Michael McShane, Malachy Dallas, Gary Maybin, Alex Campbell, Stephen McGarry and Olcan Laverty.

After a great run of Best Ever Football teams, which proved very popular amongst our readers, we start off our “My Favourite Fifteen” series in hurling with Colum Thompson starting it all off with his choices of the best Cushendall players he has seen.

Colum Thompson

It is a huge honour to be asked to do something like this but the pride quickly faded when I realised I’m definitely going to be accosted in The Lurig the first night it opens because I’ve left someone out or selected someone in the wrong place. So keep in mind this is for a bit of light hearted entertainment.
Anyway I’ve based my team selection for Ruairi Og on players I’ve watched play. My first real clear memories of watching hurling was from our three in a row of Championship victories from the early 90’s so I’m picking from the players from then on. I know that counts out greats from the past like Mannix McAlister, Seamus McGinty, Chris Barrett and Mick McKeown and from the 70’s and 80’s like Sean McNaughton, Liam McKillop and John Delargy but I don’t remember or didn’t have the privilege of seeing those men hurling. I love flair players, mavericks and guys who played hurling with a smile on their face and who entertained and excited the crowd.

1 – Ciaran Mc Naughton RIP. The most laid-back man I’ve ever met. He was always cool as a cucumber no matter what the occasion. Nothing seemed to unsettle him. He had a huge poc-out, was safe as houses under a high ball and had unbelievable reflexes as well as being a superb shot stopper.

2 – Aaron Graffin. One of Cushendall’s great leaders. Totally focused, driven and has such a will to win. Has come back from a number of serious injuries that would have stopped any normal man in his tracks. Great catcher, tight marker who never gives a forward a minute’s peace. Mr. Dependable.
3 – Aidan McAteer. Teak tough no nonscence full back who always went about his business with the minimum of fuss. Did the simple things well and very seldom came off second best.
4 – Sean Delargy. What a competitor. An absolute terrier who never gave up. He was always ultra fit and had pace to burn. A corner forward’s worst nightmare.

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5 – James McNaughton RIP. Such a stylish, classy hurler who could mix it when it was needed as well. Had a great strike out of defence and was a super long range free taker and an expert from sidelines too. Made the game look easy.
6 – Leonard McKeegan. Small in stature but had the heart of a lion. Regularly got the better of bigger, stronger men. The best player I’ve ever seen dispossessing someone. His hooks, blocks and flicks were always timed to perfection. Tidy and efficient in all that he did. 7 – Kevin Elliott. His natural talent was off the chart. When he was on form he made the game look utterly effortless. Another great free taker with a huge strike. When he was in the mood he was unplayable and could dictate the game.

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8 – Mark McCambridge. A warrior if ever there was one. Always totally committed, played the game hard and fair. The ultimate grafter who often did the dirty work that allowed others to shine. He had some engine and must have covered miles in every game and often weighed in with a score himself.
9 – Terence McNaughton. You could have selected Sambo at wing back or in the forwards but I’ve picked him in midfield because that is where he won his All Star. What a man under a dropping ball, strong as an ox and with plenty of skill too. Great for long range points and scored some vital goals for club and county.

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10 – Danny McNaughton RIP. The most committed, focused and determined hurler I think Cushendall has ever had. A real team player who led by example. He could score points from all angles on his left or his right. An all action player and a great free taker.
11 – Neil McManus. Another player who could have been picked in a number of positions. Has won Championship medals at corner back, centre half, midfield, centre forward and full forward. I previously described him like Roy Of The Rovers in maroon and white. The guy has everything. If you need a goal you send him to the edge of the square. Can score points from anywhere inside 100 yards and is just as likely to make the catch under the crossbar in the final minute when you are two points up. My team captain.
12 – Conor McCambridge. A real class player. He had so much pace and was deadly accurate from play and from frees. He had a great ability to make time and space for himself. The scorer of so many vital Championship goals.

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13 – Shane McNaughton. The ultimate maverick. Played the game with total freedom and abandon, the way it should be played. Tried things coaches tell you not to try and that’s exactly why I loved watching him. Flair, class and ability in equal measure. A superb forward.
14 – John Carson. Played a lot of hurling as a half forward but I loved seeing him with 14 on his back. He was total box office on the edge of the square. When Jackie was on form he was unstoppable.
15 – Karl McKeegan. Another man who could have been picked in a few positions. A real hardy hurler who knew where the posts were. The drop of the shoulder and the sidestep and he was away. Could score himself and had a great ability for bringing others into the game.

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Subs – My five subs are men who came very close and men who could hurl on any team – Alastair McGuile, Aidan Delargy, Declan McKillop, Michael McCambridge and Paddy Walsh

Team Manager – The One and only John McKillop